romans



No. 625,123. Patened May I6, |899. J. G.W. ROMANS &. A'. D. GRVER. GOINOPEHAIED MACHINE.

\ (Application led Dec. 10, 1898.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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WA/@Hummum Pate'ntedMay I f,r |899. J, G. W. ROMANS A. D. GBUVEB.

CDIN OPERATED MACHINE.

(Application led Dec. 10, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I2.

(No Model.) v

a. nw E 6 Z l man Tui Nonms PETERS co. PNQTQLITMQ., wAsHmmQm n a Patented May I6, i899.

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,f #MENTE/F15. Jm @Jl/Hamam J. G. W. ROMANS &. A. D. GHUVER.

GOIN OPERATED MACHINE.

(Application med Dec. 10, 1898.)

(No Model.)

TH: Norms PETERS oo. pHoro-uws; WASHINGTON. u. c.

NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. WV. ROMANS, OF VVEYMOTH, AND ALBERT D. GROVER, OF

MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS.

COIN-OPERATED MACHIN.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N0.'625,123, dated May' 16, 1899.

Application filed December 10, 1898. Serial No. 698,909. (No model.)

T0 all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN G. W. ROMANS,

residing at Weymouth, in the county of Nor` folk, and ALBERT D. GRovER, residing at Malden, in the county of Middlesex, in the State of Massacl1usetts,citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Operated Machines or Apparatus, of which the following is a specification. Y

Our invention has for its object to improve the construction `of coin-operated machines or apparatus whereby they are rendered more certain and reliable in their action and the operating of the machine or apparatus by means of coins of less than the required thickness or diameter or by means of washers or by disks or pieces of pasteboard, lead, or other soft material of the proper size is effectually prevented, thereby avoiding the loss and inconvenience 4hitherto experienced from this cause.

Another object of our invention is to prevent the coin-receiving mechanism from becoming clogged or obstructed by the introduction of foreign substances, which has hitherto been a frequent source of annoyance and loss by rendering the apparatus inoperative until again put in order by an authorized person, the apparatus being meanwhile deprived of its earning capacity.

Our invention is designed to overcome all of the above-mentioned diiiiculties and objections; and it consists in certain novel features and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of a coin-operated vending machine or apparatus constructed in accordance with our invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged central vertical section of the saine on the line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan of the fraud-preventive coin-receiving device. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4 4E of Fig. 2. Fig. lis a vertical section similar to Fig. 2, but with the parts in a different position. Fig. 6 is a central vertical section of the coin-receiving device, showing a coin of the proper denomination in the. act

line. ll-ll of Fig. 7.

of passing into the machine. Fig. 7 is a similar section showinga washer in the coin-slide in the act of being prevented from entering the machine. Fig. 8 is a similar section showing a coin being discharged by the coin-ejector. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 3. Fig. l0 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 10 l0 of Fig. 3. Fig. l1 is a transverse vertical section on the Fig. 12 is a plan of the coin-slide. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the segment which bears against the coin. Fig. la is a perspective view of the merchandise-ejector,its bracket,and the parts directly connected therewith. Fig. 15 represents a modification of the coin-ejector, to be referred to. l

Referring to the drawings, A represent-s the exterior casing of a vending machine or apparatus, within which are arranged the merchandise chambers or magazines B for containing the articles or packages b to be vended-- `for inst-ance, tablets of chocolate, gum, or

confectionerysaid chambers'being of the proper shape in cross-section to receive said articles or packages, which are superposed 4one upon-the other, each chamber being preferably provided with a weight c, resting on the upper one of the stack of articles or packages, whereby their free downward movement is insured and their delivery rendered more certain. The lower end of each chamber B is open, and directly beneath the same is arranged a shelf d, upon which rests the lower package or article, as shown in Fig. 2, the distance between' the shelf d and the lower `end `of the rear wall of the chamber B being such as to leave a space c of sufficient size to permit the passage of a single ,tablet or article when pushed out by mechanism to be presently described. As each article is ejected it drops into a forwardly-curved chute C, down which it slides until it reaches a depression f, located at the front of the machine, in which position it can be conveniently reached by the person entitled to receive it. This depression f is provided with a series of small holes 2O to permit of the escape of rain, which might otherwise accumulate at this point if the machine were placed out of doors.

IOO

D is the coin-receiving slide, to the rear end of which and forming a portion of the same is secured a bracket g, to the upper end of which is pivoted on a pin 21 the merchandiseejector h, which is provided on each side with a projection 15, having its front side inclined or beveled. The ejector h is normally maintained in a horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 11.1-, by a light coiled spring 22 encircling the pin 2l, one end of said spring eX- erting an upward pressure on the under side ofthe ejector. At the upper end of the bracket g are formed lugs 23, inclined downwardly and rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 14, to permit the ejector to be tilted downward against the resistance of the spring 22, for a purpose to be hereinafter explained, and said ejector is prevented from rising above a horizontal position by contact with the front edges ot' the lugs 23.

To the bracket g is firmly secured a tubular push-pin or plunger E, which projects out through an opening in the front of the casing A into an accessible position and forms a means whereby the coin-slide D after receiving the proper coin can be pushedin by the customer, as shown at the bottom of Fig. 4, and the ejector 7L brought into contact with the lowermost article or package in the magazine B to force the same out from beneath the stack or pile ot merchandise into the deliverychute C.

G is a stationary pin which projects out horizontally from the shelf d into the tubular plunger E and serves as astop therefor when pushed in against the resistance of a spiral spring t', which encircles the stop-pin and eX- tends into the tubular plunger E, resting against the inner front end of the same, said spring serving to normally keep the plunger and parts connected therewith in the position shown in Fig. 2.

The shelf d is provided with slots or openings 24, through which the projections 15 of the ejector h pass in ejecting the merchandise, and as soon as the article has been pushed oft into the delivery-chute C the article or package next above will descend and rest on the shelf d, as shown in Fig. 5. As

the coin-slide returns on the release of the plunger E the beveled front sides of the projections 15 will contact with the article 0r package then resting on the shelf d, thus causing the ejector to be rocked or tilted downward into the position shown in Fig. 5, thus permitting it to slide beneath said article, after passing which it assumes its normal horizontal position by the action of the spring 22. In this manner the coin-slide and parts connected therewith are relieved ofthe pressure of the stack or pile of merchandise in the chamber B and also that of the weight c thereupon, the only friction encountered by the ejector h on its return being that produced by the light upward pressure of the projections 15 against the under surface of the lowermost article or package resting on the shelf d, which, as before stated, supports the entire Weight of the merchandise in the magazine, as well as the weight c, and it will therefore be obvious that a light spring only is required to return the coin-slide after having been pushed in, thus renderingitmuch easier to operate the machine. 1t will also be obvious that owing to the very light upward spring-pressure of the ejector 7L against the under surface of the lowermost article in the chamber B it will be impossible to gradually push out the articles one at a time in succession by moving the ejector backward and forward in contact therewith when near the end of its inward movement, as would be the case it the ejector after being pushed in were required to support the weight of the entire stack or pile ot` merchandise, as heretofore, andconsequently any attempt to defraud the machine in this manner is effectually prevented by the employmentof the pivoted ejector 7L, the pressure of which against the arti- -cle or package is so slight as to render it impossible to move it by the mere frictional contact of the ejector therewith.

The front portion or panel 25 of the casing A is made removable to afford access to the merchandise-chambers B when the same are to be refilled. This panel is provided at its top with a lock 26, Fig. 1, and at its bottom with two hooks 27, which engage a portion of the casing, as shown in Fig. 2, and serve to hold the panel in place when locked. When the panel is in place, the hooks 27 contact with two vertically-sliding bolts 28, which are supported in bearings 29, and when forced downward by ihehooks 27 engage notches 30 in the sides of the money-drawer I'Lwhich fits Within the lower portion of the casing A, and is thus securely locked in place, so that it cannot be removed until the panel 25 is unlocked and taken out and the bolts 2S raised by a spring 60 to lift their lower ends out of the notches 30, the separate lock for the money-drawer heretofore usually employed being thus dispensed with.

The coin-slide D, which is of the same thickness as the coin required to operate the machine or apparatus, moves in asuitable slideway consisting in the present instance of two plates 7c m, litting closely against its upper and lower surfaces, said plates projecting beyond the front of the money-drawer, which forms the front of the lower portion of the casing, as shown, and the lower plate m having a circular aperture n of slightly less diameter than that of the coin-opening 1G in the slide D, whereby a ledge or rest is provided for supporting the coin when placed in the coin-opening. The aperture n also affords a means of escape for rain in case the machine is exposed to the weather, and, f urthermore, prevents coins or disks of small enough diameter to pass through it from being carried inV by the coin-slide. The upper plate 7c is provided with a circular beveledged opening 61, through which the coin is IOO IIO

width than the diameter of the proper coin and is placed centrally with respect to the same, it will be seen that the coin will extend beyond and be supported by the plate k at the sides of the recess, and will not consequently enter the said recess or be affected thereby. The front end of the recess 42 is inclined or beveled, so as to allow a narrowpiece of metal after having entered said recess to be withdrawn with the slide as the latter is returned to its normal outward position.

w is a beveled coin-ejector which projects down from the upper plate it through a long slot 43 in the coin-slide into the rear portion of the opening 40 in the plate m, through which the coin drops into the money-drawer H. This ejector w has its front edge inclined downwardly and rearwardly, as shown, and is so placed at the rear end of the opening 40 in the plate m, through which the coin is discharged, that in case a coin has been purposely jammed or wedged into the coin-opening 16 with a piece of paper or in any other manner for the purpose of preventing it from dropping out into the money-drawer it will as the slide is pushed in be brought iutocont-act with the downwardly-inclined front edge of the ejector, which will then effectually dislodge it from the coin-opening as the slide is pushed in and cause it to drop down into the money-drawer H. Without this ejector it will be obvious that with a coin wedged or jammed into the opening of the coin-slide it might be possible to work the slide an indefinite number of times with the same coin, and thus defraud the machine.

Instead of making the coin-ejector stationary and providing the coin-slide with a long slot 43 the ejector may be pivoted to a lug on the under side of the lower plate m, as shown in Fig. l5, and provided with `a spring 65, which causes its point orpupper end to bear against the under side of the coin-slide as it is pushed in. When thecoin-slide has nearly reached the end of its inward movement, the spring causes the point of the ejector to enter a notch 66 at the rear edge of the coinopening, through which and the coin-opening it passes into a recess 67 in the top plate 7c, in which position the point of the ejector will offer no obstruction to the coin as the slide is pushed in and will operate.to eject the coin in the same manner as the stationary ejector previously described.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a coin-operated machine or apparatus, the combination with a coin-receiving slide, of a shaft receiving rotary motion from said slide and movable toward and from the same, said shaft being provided with projections adapted to contact with the coin as the slide is pushed in, and a spring-pressed locking-lever exerting a pressure on said rotary shaft to force the same toward the slide, and adapted to engage the slide to lock the same when the shaft is permitted to move toward said slide, substantially as described.

2. A fraud-preventive device for coin-operated machines or apparatus comprising a coinreceiving slide, a rotary shaft movable toward and away from the coin-slide and provided with projections adapted to contact with the coin as the slide is pushed in, means whereby the shaft is rotated by the movement of the slide, and a spring-pressed locking-lever exerting near its fulcrum a pressure on said rotary shaft, said lever engaging the coin-slide to lock the same when the shaft is permitted to move toward thecoin-slide, substantially as described.

3. In a coin-operated machine or apparatus, the combination with a coin-receiving slide, of a rotary tilting shaft carrying a gear meshing with rack-teeth on the coin-slide, said shaft being pivoted at one end, and having projections adapted to contact with the coin as the slide is pushed in, and a spring-pressed .locking-leveradapted to engage the coin-slide to lock the same, and bearing near its fulcrum on the free end of said pivoted shaft to cause its projections to exert a pressure on the coin as the slide is pushed in, said locking-lever engaging the coin-slide to lock the same when the rotary shaft is permitted to move toward the coin-slide, substantially as described.

.4. Inacoin-operated machine or apparatus, the combination with a coin-receiving slide, of a shaftl receiving rotary motion from said slide and movable toward and away from the same, said shaft being provided with a segment having projections adapted to contact with the coin as the slide is pushed in, and a spring-pressed locking-lever exerting near its fnlcrurn a pressure on' said rotary shaft to force the same toward the slide, and adapted to engage said slide to lock the same when the shaft is permitted to move toward the slide, said locking-lever being moved to unlock the slide to permit said slide to be pushed in, by the contact of the projections on the segment with the coin, substantially as described. f

5. In a coin-operated machine or apparatus, the combination with the coin-receiving slide, of the spring-pressed segment L provided with a series of projections adapted to contact with the under side of the coin as the slideis pushed in, the first of said projections with which the coin is brought into contact being of wedge shape with its edge extending in the direction of the length of the coin-slide, substantially as described.

6. In a coin-operated machine or apparatus, the combination with the coin-receiving slide, of a plate placed above the same, and provided with a recess of less width than the diameter of the coin-opening, and adapted to receive a narrow piece of metal fraudulently placed within the coin-opening in the direction of the length of the coin-slide, the spring- IOO IIO

IZO

introduced into the coin-opening 16 of the slide D.

Arranged transversely beneath the lower plate fm, between a pair of lugs p q, projecting from the under side of the said plate, is a rotary shaft I, one end of which rests loosely in a hole 3l4 in the lug p, which forms a pivotal bearing or center in which the shaft I may swing or tilt toward or away from the plate m, the opposite end of the shaft being gui'ded'in an open slot 32 in the lug q. To the shaft I, near its pivotal point, is secured a gear J, which meshes with rack-teeth 33,

l formed in the edge of the coin-slide D, whereby as said slide is pushed in or drawn out a rotary lnotion will be imparted tothe shaft I.

K is a locking-lever which is fulcrumed at 34 to the lug qcof the plate m and is acted on by a stiff spring 35 to normally keep its free hook-shaped end 36 in contact with the top plate 7c and in a position to engage the edge of the first openingsformed in .the slide D to lock the same and prevent its further inward movement, the end 36 of the lever K passing through an aperture 37 in the plate m. The lever K is provided near its fulcrum with an adj Listing-screw 38, which bears on the free end of the tilting shaft I with a strong yielding pressure, due to the action of the spring 35, and to the shaft I is secured a hardenedsteel segment L,which projects through a slot or opening 39 in the plate m, located at the center of its width, so that the coin-opening 16 will pass centrally over it as the slide D is pushed in". The segment L is provided with a series of sharp projections ,which are adapted to roll against the under surface of the coin passing over them as the shaft I is turn ed by the inward movement of the coin-slide, the spring-pressed locking-lever K,which acts on the end of the shaft I, causing the segment L to bear with considerable force against the under side of the coin as the latter passes over it. As each projection t of the segment L comes into rolling contact with the coin the free end of the shaft is forced downward or away from the slide D and, acting on the lever K near its fulcrum, produces a sufficient movement of the outer end 36 of said lever to clear it from the opening s of the slide with which it is engaged, the succeeding projections t of the segment L producing similar movements of the lever K, which thus permits tvhe slide D to be freely pushed in to the extreme limit of'its inward movement, the coin dropping out through an opening .t0 in the plate minto the money drawer or receptacle II when the slide D is at or near the limit of its inward movement. It will be seen that as the fulcrum of the lever K is close to the point where it bears on the shaft I a very slight tilting movement of the latter, ydue to the radial project-ions of the seghient L coming into contact with the coin, will produce sufficient movement of the free end of the looking-lever K to cause it to clear the openings s of the coin-slide, the ratio of movement between the shaft I and the outer end of the lever K being such that when a coin of less than the proper thickness is placed within the coin-opening it will on coming into contact with theprojections t fail to move the tilting shaft I suiciently to raise the hooked outer end of the lever K out of the opening s in` the coin-slide, which will thus remain locked, thus preventing the machine from being operated until a coin of the proper size and thickness is placed within the coin-openin'g 16. If the slide D is pushed in with the coin-opening empty, the segment will enter said opening and leave the lever K free to enter the first opening s which it encounters, a similar action taking place if a washer or disk with a small hole in the center is used, as one of the teeth of the segment will enter the central opening as the slide is pushed in and cause the lever K to engage one of the openings s. If a blank or token of the proper size and thickness, composed of lead, pasteboard, or other soft material, is placed within the coin-opening 16, it will on its arrival overthe segment L be cut into or indented by the sharp spurs or projections t of the same as they roll in contact therewith, the spring 35 being of sufficient strength to cause said spurs or projections to sink into the soft substance, when the slight upward movement of the tilting shaft I thus produced willleave the lever K free to engage the first opening s of the coin-slide and prevent it from being pushed in. By means of the adj usting-screw 38 the parts can be adjusted with the greatest nicety, so that the machine can only be operated by a coin of a certain predetermined thickness. On the return movement of the coin-slide the lockinglever K will reach the rear opening s in said slide before the merchandise-ejector ,h has been drawn back out of contact with the bottom of the lowermost article or package in the chamber B, as shown in Fig. 5, thus rendering it impossible after the ejector has been raised by its spring to its normal operative position to again push in the coin-slide until another coin has been placed therein.

The first projection t of the segment L with which the coin is brought into contact is preferably made wedge-shaped, as shown in Fig. 13', with its sharp edge 50 extending in the direction of the length of the coin-slide, said elongated edge thus contacting with proper coins of slightly-different diameters, as desired.

To prevent the apparatus from being operated by a narrow piece of hard metal of the same thickness as the proper coin placed centrally within the coin-opening in the direction of the length of the slide, we provide a recess 42 in the upper plate 7c, into which said narrow piece of metal would be forced by the upward pressure thereon of the segment L, which by permitting the tilting shaft I to rise would cause the lever K to intercept and lock the coin-slide in the manner previously described. As, however, this recess is of less IOO pressed locking-lever and rotary1 shaft coperating therewith, the latter adapted to eX- ert an upward pressure on said narrow piece of metal to cause it to enter the recessin the plate above the coin-slide, whereby said shaft is permitted to rise and thereby produce the locking of the eoinslide, substantially as described.

7. ln a coin-operated machine or apparatus, the combination with a slide having,r an opening for the reception of a coin, of a tubular plunger or push-pin open at its inner end and secured to the rear end of said slide, a stoppin adapted to enter said plunger as it is pushed in to operate the coin-slide, and a coiled retracting-spring encircling the stoppin and lying partly Within the tubular plu nger, substantially as described.

Jol-IN e. w. ROMANS. ALBERT D. GROVER.

In presence ofy P. E. TESCHEMACHER,

M. B. WILSON. 

